Light control structure

ABSTRACT

A light control structure having a louver screen embedded between two flat plastic sheets providing a sealed lighttransmitting unit. The louver screen may be formed of a material such as plastic, and is sealingly embedded in the plastic sheets. The screen includes one or more flat portions and reinforcing elements are provided for extending between the frame portions and one or both of the screens for rigidifying the structure. One, or both, of the plastic sheets may be provided with a suitable light transmission reducing coating, if desired.

United States Patent [151 3,642,557 Warp ]v Feb. 15, 1972 [54] LIGHT CONTROL STRUCTURE 3,290,203 12/1966 Antonson et al ..l61/l07 [72] Inventor: Harold Warp, Chicago, Ill. g gz [73] Assignee: Flex-O-Glass, Inc. 2,849,762 9/ 1958 McCarthy ..52/473 [22] Filed: June 1968 Primary Examiner-Harold Ansher [2!] Appl. No.: 737,496 Assistant Examiner-Joseph C. Gil

AnorneyHofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and McCord |52| US. Cl ..l6l/3.5, 52/473, I6l/4,

l6l/5, 161/45 1571 ABSTRACT [5|] InLCLH. ..E06b 7/08 A light comm] structure having a louver Semen embedded [58] Field 0! Search l6l/35, 4, 5, 45, I99; 52/6l3, between two fl plastic sheets providing a sealed light trans- 52/6l6 473; 371; 350/263 mitting unit. The louver screen may be formed of a material such as plastic, and is sealingly embedded in the plastic sheets. [56] References The screen includes one or more flat portions and reinforcing UNITED STATES PATENTS elements are provided for extending between the frame portrons and one or both of the screens for ngidifying the structute one or both of the sheets may be 3 2,745,150 5/1956 Warns et al ..20/56- suitable light transmission reducing coating, if desired. 3,009,389 11/1961 Ewing ..88/57.5 3,069,301 12/1962 Buckley et a]. 161/1 96 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBFEB 15 m2 3.642.557

inmmu lilll fnz/ewrl; Ham i War I Qw@%q LIGHT CONTROL STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to light. control structures, and in particular, to transparent windowpanematerials provided with integral screen means for controlling light transmission therethrough.

2. Description of the Prior Art One form of improved screen comprises a louver, or venetian blind, type screen wherein rows of louver elements are provided formed in a sheet of suitable material, such as plastic SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved light control structure wherein a louver-type screen is sealingly embedded in a pair of opposed. face sheets. Theplastic sheets may be laminated to the louver'screen, which may be similarly formed of plastic, and means for rigidifying the structure may be provided in the'form of projections, such as ribs, extending between the flat portions of the louver screen and one, or

both, of the face plastic sheets. The ribs may be formed in-' tegrally with the plastic sheets, or screen, or may be formed as separate elements and secured in place. One, or both, of the plastic sheets may be providedwith'light transmission control means in the form of a coating, such as'a silver coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a light control structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section thereof taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section thereof taken substantially along the line 4-4'0f FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section illustrating a further modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment of the'invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawing, a light control structure, generally designated 10, is shown to comprise a louver screen 11 laminated to a pair of plastic face sheets 12 and 13 to define a sandwich structure wherein the screen is substantially completely embedded in, and sealed to, the plastic face sheets to define a rigid light control structure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 11 defines a louver screen structure having a plurality of rows of louvers l4 The plastic sheets may be formed with suitable projections 17 which engage the flat for reinforcing or rigidifying the structure 10. Illustratively, the reinforcing portions 17 may comprise ribs forming integrally with the plastic sheets, as by extrusion. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the ribs 117 may be formed as separate elements secured to the plastic sheets by suitable adhesive material, such as adhesive 118. Alternatively, where the plastic materials are thermoplastic, the ribs may be joined to the sheets by conventional heat-sealed operations. Still further, the reinforcing elements may comprise elements such as ribs 217 of the light control structure 210, shown in FIG. 6, wherein the ribs may be formed integrally with the louver screen 211 at the flat portions 215. Still further, the ribs may comprise separate elements and may be secured to the flat portions 215 by suitable means, as discussed above relative to ribs 117.

As discussed above, the screens may comprise louver screen structures. The louvers thereof may define projecting portions 20 which extend outwardly from the flat extent of the screens. The screens may be bonded to the confronting faces of the transparent outer sheets by suitable means. Illustratively, where the screen is formed of plastic, it may be bonded to the outer sheets by suitable adhesive, embedding of the projection portions in the sheet surfaces as by solvent application, or, where the sheets are formed of thermoplastic materials by suitable application of heat, etc. Similarly, where the screen is formed of metal, it may be bonded to the confronting faces of the outer sheets by suitable adhesive, or by embedding the projecting portions 20 in the sheet surfaces, as discussed relative to the plastic screen.

The plastic sheets may be sealingly laminated to the peripheral imperforate flat portion 16 of the screen, as shown in FIG. 3, by means of an in-turned peripheral flange 19. The flange may be preformed on the sheet, or may be formed at the time of lamination of the sheets to the screen, as desired.

As indicated briefly above, additional control ofthe light transmission characteristics of the light control structure may be provided by providing a suitable layer of light transmission reducing or reflecting material. The layer may be provided selectively on one or both of the sheets 12 and 13, or on the screen 11, as desired. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a layer 21a may be provided on the inner surface of sheet 13, a layer 21b may be provided on the inner surface of sheet 12 and a layer 21e may be provided on the screen 11. The layers, illustratively, may comprise a conventional silver coating which maybe provided by spraying, vacuum deposition, etc. Alternatively, the layers may comprise a sheet of suitable radiation controlling material, such as a thin foil sheet which may be provided on the desired light control structure surface (such as where the screen is formed of a transparent plastic).

Thus, the present invention comprehends an improved light control structure wherein the louver screen is strengthened and stiffened to provide a relatively unbreakable windowpane affording desiredlight and heat control, while yet permitting desirable transparency for viewing therethrough. The improved rigidity of the structure provided by the reinforcing means associated with the flat portions of the screen permits the use of highly desirable louver screen material, while yet providing a highly rigid windowpane unit. An improved rigid structure is obtained by the embedding and sealing of the plastic face sheets to the louver screen.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A light control structure comprising: a screen having a midportion bounded by opposite faces defined by a plurality of portions projecting from the flatwise extent of the screen; and a pair of spaced transparent synthetic plastic sheets disposed one each at the opposite faces of said screen, said screen projecting portions being embedded in at least one of portions 15 of the louver screen ll said sheets while maintaining said midportion free of contact with said sheets.

2. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screens include an imperforate portion and said structure further includes reinforcing means extending between said imperforate screen portion and one of said sheets for rigidifying said structure.

3. The light control structure of claim 1 including means for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of at least one of said sheets.

4. .The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen includes an imperforate portion and said structure further includes a support formed integrally with one of said sheets and engaging said imperforate screen portion.

5. The light control structure of claim 1 including a support element secured to at least one of said sheets or said screen for rigidifying said structure.

6. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen includes an elongated imperforate portion and said structure further includes an elongated reinforcing means disposed between said imperforate portion and one of said sheets for rigidifying said structure.

7. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein the periphery of said screen is imperforate and means are provided for sealing said sheets to said screen substantially along said imperforate periphery.

8. The light control structure of claim 7 wherein said sheets include an outer edge portion sealingly engaging said imperforate screen periphery.

9. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen defines a plurality of rows of louvers and a plurality of imperforate flat portions one each between said rows.

10. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein-said screen includes an imperforate portion and said structure further includes a reinforcing strip secured to said imperforate portion for engaging a sheet.

11. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said projecting screen portions are adhesively bonded to at least one of said sheets.

12. The light control structure of claim 1 including a sheet laminated to one of said plastic sheets and defining reflective means for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of said structure.

13. The light control structure of claim 1 including means on said screen for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of said structure. 

1. A light control structure comprising: a screen having a midportion bounded by opposite faces defined by a plurality of portions projecting from the flatwise extent of the screen; and a pair of spaced transparent synthetic plastic sheets disposed one each at the opposite faces of said screen, said screen projecting portions being embedded in at least one of said sheets while maintaining said midportion free of contact with said sheets.
 2. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screens include an imperforate portion and said structure further includes reinforcing means extending between said imperforate screen portion and one of said sheets for rigidifying said structure.
 3. The light control structure of claim 1 including means for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of at least one of said sheets.
 4. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen includes an imperforate portion and said structure further includes a support formed integrally with one of said sheets and engaging said imperforate screen portion.
 5. The light control structure of claim 1 including a support element secured to at least one of said sheets or said screen for rigidifying said structure.
 6. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen includes an elongated imperforate portion and said structure further includes an elongated reinforcing means disposed between said imperforate portion and one of said sheets for rigidifying said structure.
 7. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein the periphery of said screen is imperforate and means are provided for sealing said sheets to said screen substantially along said imperforate periphery.
 8. The light control structure of claim 7 wherein said sheets include an outer edge portion sealingly engaging said imperforate screen periphery.
 9. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen defines a plurality of rows of louvers and a plurality of imperforate flat portions one each between said rows.
 10. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said screen includes an imperforate portion and said structure further includes a reinforcing strip secured to said imperforate portion for engaging a sheet.
 11. The light control structure of claim 1 wherein said projecting screen portions are adhesively bonded to at least one of said sheets.
 12. The light control structure of claim 1 including a sheet laminated to one of said plastic sheets and defining reflective means for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of said structure.
 13. The light control structure of claim 1 including means on said screen for reducing radiation transmission characteristics of said structure. 